U.S. patent number 5,007,569 [Application Number 07/472,848] was granted by the patent office on 1991-04-16 for backseat storage container apparatus.
Invention is credited to Constance K. Zarb.
United States Patent |
5,007,569 |
Zarb |
April 16, 1991 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Backseat storage container apparatus
Abstract
A hand-portable storage container with two headrest cushions
designed for use by one or two children in the backseat of an
automobile or other vehicle. The preferred overall configuration of
the apparatus resembles a child's play house with a two-sided
inclined roof structure, to which is attached two large pillows,
one on each side. The left and right sections of the roof structure
are preferably hinged. This gives the children access to internal
storage compartments underneath the left and right sections of the
roof structure, where the children may place toys, books, crayons
or other supplies to keep them occupied on longer trips in the car.
The storage compartments preferably include removable dividers with
pockets or pouches for storing pencils or other small objects. The
pillows are headrest cushions upon which the children may
comfortably nap simultaneously, even while each is safely
restrained by a seat belt in the backseat of a vehicle. The
headrest cushions are preferably detachable for easy cleaning.
Inventors: |
Zarb; Constance K. (West
Bloomfield, MI) |
Family
ID: |
23877170 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/472,848 |
Filed: |
January 31, 1990 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/275; 220/505;
220/532; 224/539; 224/543; 224/901.2; 312/235.8; 312/287; 312/902;
446/75; D12/421; D6/667 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
7/043 (20130101); Y10S 312/902 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
7/04 (20060101); B60R 007/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;224/273,275,42.42,901
;312/287,283,235.8,235.6,DIG.33 ;297/194 ;206/315.1,457
;220/22,22.3,23,83,334 ;D3/40 ;D21/114
;D6/397,432,434,440,442,443,445,446,448 ;5/118 ;108/44
;446/73,75 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0700976 |
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Dec 1964 |
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CA |
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0764061 |
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Dec 1956 |
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GB |
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2124189 |
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Feb 1984 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Recla; Henry J.
Assistant Examiner: Jacyna; Casey
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce
Claims
I claim:
1. A portable storage container apparatus for the backseat of an
automotive vehicle for simultaneous use by two children,
comprising:
a housing having four vertical outer wall sections, a vertical
central wall section, a floor section, and left and right roof
sections, the floor section and vertical outer wall sections being
arranged to form a rectangular box with a substantially open top,
with the outer wall sections defining front, rear, left side and
right side outer walls of the housing, the left and right side wall
sections being substantially identical in overall shape and having
a generally rectangular configuration, the front and rear wall
sections being substantially identical in overall shape and each
having a generally pentagonal configuration symmetrical about a
central vertical axis thereof, and the vertical central wall
section extending horizontally between the central vertical axes of
the front and rear wall sections of the housing and dividing the
housing into left and right storage compartments, the left and
right roof sections being arranged to pivot independently relative
to one another and to the remainder of the housing such that access
to the storage compartments within the housing is provided; and
cushion means, including left and right cushions respectively
supported at least in part by the left and right roof sections, for
cushioning the heads of two children napping in the backseat of the
automotive vehicle on either side of the apparatus.
2. A storage container apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the left and
right cushions of the cushion means are pillows and the cushion
means includes flexible case means for holding the pillows in place
on the apparatus.
3. A storage container apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the
flexible case means includes left and right compartments in which
the left and right pillows are respectively disposed.
4. A storage container apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the cushion
means includes quick release means for removably attaching the
flexible case means to the left and right roof sections.
5. A storage container apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:
the housing includes hinge means for pivotally supporting the left
and right roof sections.
6. A storage container apparatus as in claim 5, wherein:
the vertical central wall section of the housing includes left and
right faces and a horizontal roof portion extending over the left
and right faces of the central wall section, and
the hinge means are attached to the horizontal roof portion.
7. A storage container apparatus as in claim 1, further
comprising:
means for spacing the rear wall section of the housing away from a
backrest portion of the backseat of the automotive vehicle to
prevent the backrest portion of the backseat from interfering with
the pivotal movement of the left or right roof sections of the
housing.
8. A storage container apparatus as in claim 7 wherein:
the rear wall section of the housing has a substantially planar
exterior surface, and
the means for spacing includes at least two horizontally arranged
elongated spacer members of predetermined width projecting from the
exterior surface of the rear wall section to provide clearance
between the backrest portion of the backseat and the rear wall
section.
9. A storage container apparatus as in claim 1, further
comprising:
means for dividing the left compartment into at least two storage
spaces, and
means for dividing the right compartment into at least two storage
spaces.
10. A storage container apparatus as in claim 9 wherein:
the rear wall section of the housing has formed on an interior side
thereof left and right vertical guide tracks spaced from and
parallel to one another and respectively located in the left and
right compartments of the housing;
the front wall section of the housing has formed on an interior
side thereof left and right vertical guide tracks spaced from and
parallel to one another and respectively located in the left and
right compartments of the housing;
the means for dividing the left compartment includes a planar
vertically arranged wall section having a front and rear end
portions respectively removably held by the left guide tracks of
the front and rear wall sections; and
the means for dividing the right compartment includes a planar
vertically arranged wall section having a front and rear end
portions respectively removably held by the right guide tracks of
the front and rear wall sections.
11. A storage container apparatus as in claim 9, wherein:
the means for dividing the left compartment includes at least one
substantially planar wall and at least one pouch means extending
outwardly therefrom for storing small objects, and
the means for dividing the right compartment includes at least one
substantially planar wall and at least one pouch means extending
outwardly therefrom for storing small objects.
12. A storage container apparatus as in claim 1, further
comprising:
means for retaining a seat belt of the backseat of the vehicle in a
predetermined location adjacent the housing such that when the seat
belt is fastened, the apparatus is maintained securely in place on
the backseat.
13. A storage container apparatus as in claim 1, further
comprising:
handle means, including at least one handle attached to the
housing, for carrying the apparatus.
14. A storage container apparatus as in claim 13, wherein:
the handle means includes front and rear handles respectively
extending outwardly from exterior surfaces of the front and rear
vertical wall sections.
15. A hand-portable lightweight storage apparatus for use in the
backseat of an automotive vehicle by children, comprising:
a housing having at least one outer wall section, a floor section
and left and right roof sections pivotally mounted to said housing,
the housing being sized and adapted to fit in a central location of
the backseat with the roof sections pivoting in a direction
parallel to the longitudinal length of the backseat,
the floor section and outer wall section being arranged to form a
storage container with a substantially open top which is normally
covered by the left and right roof sections, the left and right
roof sections being arranged to pivot independently of one another
and to pivot relative to the remainder of the housing to provide
access to storage space within the storage container of the
housing;
means, supported at least in part by the left and right roof
sections, for cushioning heads of children who are seated in the
backseat of the automotive vehicle on either side of the apparatus
and are resting their heads at lest in part against the apparatus;
and
means on the housing for receiving a seat belt such that the
housing is securable by the seat belt so as to remain in a central
location on the backseat,
16. A storage apparatus as in claim 15, wherein:
the means for cushioning includes left and right pillows
respectively normally bearing at least in part against left and
right roof sections.
17. A storage apparatus as in claim 15, wherein:
the housing is configured to have and to be symmetrical about a
longitudinal axis extending from a front part of the housing to a
rear part of the housing,
the front and rear parts of the housing constitute part of the
outer wall section and respectively include with a front wall
portion and a rear wall portion, with each such wall portion rising
to a respective peak which is generally located in a vertical plane
containing the longitudinal axis, and
the housing has a central wall portion extending between and
connected to the front and rear wall portions which provides
increased rigidity to the housing along the longitudinal axis of
the housing.
18. A hand-portable lightweight storage apparatus for use by one or
two persons in the backseat of an automotive vehicle,
comprising:
a housing having a floor structure, a roof structure, and an outer
wall structure including at least front and rear wall sections
which are substantially symmetrical about a central axis of the
housing extending therebetween, the floor structure and outer wall
structure being configured to form an internal storage space within
the housing that is accessible to persons using the storage
apparatus in the backseat of the vehicle, the roof structure having
at least one high portion located generally above the central axis
and two inclined sections normally arranged to slop generally
downwardly from such high portion, thereby providing left and right
normally inclined roof sections, the two inclined roof sections
being arranged to pivot independently of one another and to pivot
relative to the remainder of the housing; and
means, supported at least in part by the roof structure, for
cushioning heads of persons in the backseat of the automotive
vehicle on either side of the apparatus and resting at least in
part against the apparatus.
19. A storage apparatus as in claim 18, wherein:
the housing is generally rectangular in horizontal cross-section,
and
the high portion of the roof structure is rigidly attached to the
housing and includes an elongated exterior surface which extends
generally parallel to and is located directly above the central
axis of the housing.
20. A storage apparatus as in claim 18, wherein:
the housing is generally rectangular in horizontal cross-section,
and
the high portion of the roof structure is rigidly attached to the
housing and including an elongated exterior surface which extends
generally parallel to and directly above the central axis of the
housing.
21. A storage apparatus as in claim 18, wherein:
the means for cushioning includes a plurality of headrest cushions
which are detachable from the housing.
22. A storage apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising:
means for retaining a seat belt of the backseat of an automotive
vehicle in a predetermined location adjacent to the housing when
such seat belt is fastened, whereby the apparatus may be maintained
securely in place on the backseat.
23. A storage apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising:
handle means, including at least one handle attached to the
housing, for carrying the apparatus.
24. A storage apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising:
means for spacing the housing away from a back rest portion of the
backseat of an automotive vehicle to prevent the back rest portion
of the seat from interfering with pivotal movement of the left or
right roof sections of the housing.
25. A storage apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising:
quick release means for removably attaching the means for
cushioning to the housing;
means for spacing a rearwardly facing portion of the housing away
from a back rest portion of the backseat of an automotive vehicle
to prevent the back rest portion of the backseat from interfering
with pivotal movement of the right or left roof section of the
housing; and
means for retaining a seat belt of the backseat of the vehicle in a
location adjacent to the housing when the seat belt is tightened
about the housing, such that the apparatus is maintained securely
in place on the backseat of an automotive vehicle.
26. A hand-portable lightweight storage apparatus for use by one or
two persons in the backseat of an automotive vehicle,
comprising:
a housing having a floor structure, a roof structure, and an outer
wall structure including at least left and right wall sections
which are substantially symmetrically arranged about a transverse
central axis of the housing extending between the left and right
wall sections, the floor structure and outer wall structure being
configured to form an internal storage space within the housing
that is accessible to persons using the storage apparatus in the
backseat of the vehicle, the roof structure having at least one
high portion and left and right roof sections which are arranged to
slop generally downwardly from such high portion toward the left
and right wall sections, thereby providing left and right generally
inclined roof sections, the roof sections being pivotally mounted
to the housing in a manner which allows each roof section to be
pivoted independently of the other roof section; and
means, supported at least in part by the roof structure, for
cushioning heads of persons who are seated in the backseat of the
automotive vehicle on either side of the apparatus and are resting
their heads at least in part against the apparatus.
27. A storage apparatus as in claim 26, wherein:
the housing is generally rectangular in horizontal cross-section,
and
the high portion of the roof structure includes an elongated
surface which extends generally perpendicularly to and above the
transverse central axis of the housing.
28. A storage apparatus as in claim 27, wherein:
the left and right roof sections are pivotally attached to the high
portion of the roof structure.
29. A storage apparatus as in claim 26, wherein:
the means for cushioning includes a plurality of headrest cushions
which are detachable from the housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to portable storage
containers designed for use by children in the passenger
compartment of automotive vehicles and in particular to a portable
backseat storage container apparatus having inclined headrest
cushions for simultaneous use by two children.
2. Description of Related Art
For many years parents have attempted to deal with the problems
often encountered with children on both short and long trips in the
family automobile. As is well known, during such trips children
often become bored or sleepy, or both. To combat boredom and to
keep the children quietly occupied while in the backseat, parents
often provide the children with toys coloring books, reading
materials or a combination of the foregoing items. This, in turn,
presents problems of how to conveniently assemble and store such
items in preparation for a car trip and during the trip.
One problem experienced when items are stored on a seat or rear
window ledge of a car is that they tend to move or fall when the
car drives over bumps or is turning. Items such as crayons, books
and games can thus end up underfoot on the floor of the car. The
problem of items sliding is particularly acute when items that have
flat, slippery surfaces, such as games in cardboard boxes or books,
are stacked on the car seat or window ledge.
Many children fall asleep during long car trips, at least for a
while. This can prove uncomfortable for the child, particularly
when he or she does not have a cushion or pillow to lean his or her
head against. The common solution to this problem is to provide the
child with a pillow, cushion or a folded-up blanket so that the
child will have a pillow against which he can place his head. The
pillows and blankets, like the other items, present a storage
problem. Often, they are propped up by the child against a door,
and tend to fall out when the door is opened. Also, the pillows and
blankets tend to end up on the floor of the backseat area. This is
a problem during rainy or snowy weather, since the floor area or
the child's shoes may get the fallen pillow or blankets wet or
dirty. This, in turn, adds to the laundry work of the parents,
which work is often difficult to arrange to do on a trip or a
vacation.
Another problem experienced from time to time on long car trips by
many parents of small children is the bickering or arguments
between the children. For example, an older child may be trying to
concentrate on a puzzle on the right side of the backseat, while a
bored younger child on the left side of the backseat is intent, due
to his boredom, on bothering the peaceful older child Any device
which might tend to diminish the ability of one child in a backseat
from bothering, hitting or otherwise interfering with another child
in the backseat would be greatly welcomed by such parents.
In light of the foregoing problems, it is a principal object of the
present invention to provide a storage container apparatus for use
by two children in a backseat of an automotive vehicle to store
items useful to keep them occupied and to provide them each with
pillows upon which they may rest their heads when tired.
It is a related object of the present invention to provide a
support structure for pillows in such vehicles upon which the
children may rest their heads that keeps the pillows in place in
the car so as to not allow the pillows to be accidentally dropped
out of the car or into the floor area adjacent the backseat.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage
container which can be secured by a seat belt in the center of a
bench-type backseat of an automobile, so that it will not move
about when the car travels over road bumps or is turning.
Another object of the present invention is to provide at least two
separate storage compartments for each child, so as to help
minimize disputes between the children over such items.
It is a related object of the present invention to provide a
storage apparatus which is lightweight and easily portable by an
adult by one hand so as to facilitate the loading and unloading of
the apparatus outside of a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the foregoing problems and objects, there is provided
in accordance to a first aspect of the present invention, a
portable storage container apparatus for the backseat of an
automotive vehicle for simultaneous use by two children. The
apparatus comprises cushion means and a housing having four
vertical outer wall sections, a vertical central wall section, a
floor section and left and right roof sections. The cushion means
includes left and right cushions respectively supported, at least
in part by the left and right roof sections, and is for cushioning
the heads of two children napping in the backseat of the automotive
vehicle on either side of the apparatus. The vertical outer wall
sections are preferably arranged to form a rectangular box with a
substantially open top. The outer wall sections define front, rear,
left side and right side outer walls of the housing. The left and
right side wall sections are substantially identical in shape and
have a rectangular configuration. The front and rear wall sections
are substantially identical in overall shape and each have a
pentagonal configuration symmetrical about a vertical axis. The
vertical central wall section extends horizontally between the
central vertical axis of the front and rear wall sections of the
housing, and it divides the housing into left and right storage
compartments. The left and right roof sections are arranged to
pivot relative to the remainder of the housing to provide access to
the storage compartments within the housing.
The cushion means preferably includes two pillows which serve as
the left and right cushions, and flexible case means having two
internal compartments for holding both pillows in place on the
apparatus. The cushion means also preferably includes quick release
means for removably attaching the flexible case means to the roof
sections of the housing, such as two sets of Velcro fasteners. The
roof sections preferably pivot on account of being hinged along
high portions of the roof line Internal dividers may be provided
within the individual storage compartments of the housing. Pouch
means for storing small objects may be provided on the removable
divider members.
The storage container apparatus preferably also includes handle
means for carrying the apparatus. It also preferably includes means
for retaining a seat belt of the backseat of the vehicle in a
predetermined location on the housing, so that when the seat belt
is fastened, the apparatus is maintained securely in place relative
to the backseat.
Finally, the storage container apparatus preferably includes means
for spacing the rear wall section of the housing away from the back
rest portion of the backseat, so that the back rest will not
interfere with pivotal movement of the left and right roof sections
of the housing.
The foregoing description summarizes the first aspect or preferred
embodiment of the present invention. However, as will be
appreciated, the design and construction of the apparatus can be
varied in a number of ways. Accordingly, it is appropriate to
summarize the invention in the following more general manner.
According to a second, more general aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a hand-portable lightweight storage
apparatus for use by one or two persons in the backseat of an
automotive vehicle. The apparatus comprises a housing having a
floor structure, a roof structure, and an outer wall structure; and
means, supported, at least in part by the roof structure, for
cushioning heads of persons in the backseat of the automotive
vehicle on either side of the apparatus and resting, at least in
part, against the apparatus. The outer wall structure includes at
least one outer wall section, which may have a rectangular,
hexagonal, oval or other horizontal cross-section. The housing is
preferably symmetrical about a central axis, which axis may extend
from front to rear or from side to side. The roof structure has at
least one high portion located above the central axis. The roof
structure is also arranged to slope generally downwardly from such
high portion, thereby providing left and right inclined roof
sections. Such roof sections may be flat or curved. The outer wall
structure may have closed or opened front and rear walls and side
walls. The means for cushioning preferably includes removable
cushions. However, if desired, the cushions may be made permanently
attached to the roof structure and even made part thereof.
These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the present
invention may be further understood by referring to the detailed
description, accompanying Figures, and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings form an integral part of the description of the
preferred embodiment and are to be read in conjunction therewith.
Like reference numerals designate the same or similar components or
features in the various Figures, where:
FIG. 1 is an upper front perspective view of the portable backseat
storage container apparatus of the present invention which shows
its two headrest cushions and its preferred location in the center
of the backseat of an automobile between two children who will use
same;
FIG. 2 is a lower rear perspective view of the FIG. 1 apparatus
showing its bottom and two spacer members located on the rear face
of the apparatus;
FIG. 3 is an upper front perspective view of the FIG. 1 apparatus
with its left headrest cushion and cover of the apparatus in its
raised position, which shows the left storage compartment
therein..
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the removable storage divider used
within the left storage compartment;
FIG. 5 is an upper front perspective view of FIG. 1 apparatus
showing the left headrest cushion removed from its normal resting
position on the cover for the left storage compartment;
FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 apparatus taken along
lines 6--6 of FIG. 5 showing the location of the removable dividers
used in the left and right storage compartments; and
FIG. 7 is cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 apparatus taken along
line 7--7 of FIG. 5 showing the interior lay-out of the storage
compartments of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show the hand-portable, lightweight storage
container apparatus 20 of the present invention from an upper front
perspective view, a lower rear perspective view, and a front
perspective view showing one-half of the interior of the apparatus.
The apparatus 20 includes a housing 22 and a headrest cushion means
or assembly 24 having left and right pillows 26 and 28 connected
together by fabric member 110. The apparatus 20 is shown on the
typical backseat 30 of an automotive vehicle such as car 32 upon
which are seated two children, namely a girl 36 and a boy 38, all
shown in phantom. Also shown in phantom are a portion of the back
door 40, a rear window ledge or shelf 42, and center-mount brake
light 44. Also, a broad dashed lines 46, 48 and 50 represent seat
belts respectively passed about girl 36, boy 38, and container
apparatus 20. The backseat 30 includes a bench 52 and a back rest
54.
As may be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 22 includes: a
floor structure 56; an outer wall structure 60 formed of vertical
front and rear walls 62 and 64 and vertical left and right side
walls 66 and 68; and roof structure 70 including hinge means such
as pair 72 of hinges pivotally attaching left roof section 76 and
another pair of hinges (see FIGS. 5 and 6) pivotally attaching
right roof section 78 to the top portion 80 of the housing, which
also forms part of the roof structure. The housing 22 also includes
a vertically arranged central interior wall section 82 that
includes a horizontal roof support member or portion 84 extending
along and forming the high line or top portion 80 of roof structure
70 between the apexes of front and rear vertical wall sections 62
and 64. Member 84 is preferably thick enough to provide additional
strength and reinforcement for the high line of roof structure 70.
Corner moldings 86, 88, 90 and 92 are respectively located in the
left front, right front, left rear, and right rear corners of the
outer wall structure 60 to provide a more interesting appearance.
However, such corner moldings may be omitted if desired.
Horizontally arranged elongated spacer members 94 and 95 on rear
wall section 64 provide a means for spacing the rear wall section
of the housing away from the back rest 54 of the backseat 30. The
vertically arranged carrying handles 96 and 98 respectively located
on the front and rear wall sections 62 and 64 provide a convenient
means for carrying the apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the center
seat belt 50 can be passed through the handle 96, then tightened up
to hold the housing 20 securely in place on the backseat 30, so
that it will not move out of position when the car 32 drives over
rough roads or makes quick turns. The handles 96 and 98 may be made
of metal or high-strength plastic and fastened on with screws,
adhesive epoxy, or other conventional techniques.
As best shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the headrest cushion assembly 24 is
preferably made from two pillows 26 and 28 which are interconnected
by a piece or web of fabric 110 that is stitched to the casings of
pillows 26 and 28 along the top edge thereof, as best seen in FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 shows that the central vertical wall 82 divides the interior
storage space within the housing 22 into two separate storage
compartments, namely left compartment 116 and right compartment 118
which can be seen in FIG. 6. FIG. 3 also shows a divider structure
120, which is removably held by vertical guide tracks on the inside
surfaces of front and rear vertical walls 62 and 64. A guide track
122 formed on the inside surface of wall 64 is typical and includes
two ridges of material which project slightly outwardly from the
face of wall 64. These ridges of material 124 and 126 may be seen
in FIG. 6. A similar vertical guide track 128 is spaced and formed
on the inside surface of wall 64 in the right compartment 118, as
best shown in FIG. 6. Two similar vertical guide tracks are formed
on the inside surface of vertical wall 64 (as may be seen in FIG.
7).
FIG. 4 shows one possible construction for the divider 120, which
may consist of a rectangular planar board 132 to which is attached
to pockets or pouches 134 and 136. These pouches may be integrally
formed with or may be bonded by suitable adhesive or otherwise
fastened to the board 132. Similarly, the ridges used to form the
guide tracks may be integrally formed with or may be separately
fastened to the printed rear vertical walls 62 and 64.
FIG. 5 shows that the headrest cushion assembly 24 may be
constructed to be detachable from the left and right roof sections
76 and 78. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the two pillow sections 26 and 28 each include a plurality of barb
and loop fasteners such as the familiar Velcro fasteners widely
used on garments, knapsacks, and the like. Specifically, strips
140. 142 and 144 are of one type of material, such as the barb
material, and are provided on the inclined outer surface of roof
section 76 while corresponding strips 150, 152 and 154 of the other
type of material such as the loop material, are located in mating
relationship on the underside of the casing of cushion 26, as
shown. Thus, when the cushion 26 is laid on top of roof section 76,
the two are firmly fastened together, and will not come apart
except by deliberately pulling them apart Velcro fastening means
are also provided in the same manner on the exterior surface of
roof section 78 and the underside of the casing of cushion 28.
Those in the art will appreciate that once fastened, either roof
section 76 or 78 may be swung entirely open while still not
allowing the attached cushion to fall off. It should also be
appreciated that a different number or configuration of barb and
loop fasteners may be utilized.
In FIG. 5, two pairs of hinges are shown, one for each roof
section. The hinges 162 and 164 form hinge pair 72 and support left
roof section 76, and are attached to the face of central horizontal
support portion 84 and to the exterior surface of left roof section
76. (Note that the hinges may be hidden by attaching them to the
inside of the roof sections, if desired, for a better appearance.
Also a continuous hinge may be used in place of each pair of
hinges.) Hinges 166 and 168 pivotally support roof section 78, and
are attached to the opposite face of horizontal support member 84.
FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate the advantage of using hinges at the top
of the roof sections 76 and 78. Specifically, such a location for
the hinge means ensures that the forces of gravity will tend to
keep roof sections 76 and 78 in their normal position, i e., down,
during traveling. However, as shown in FIG. 3, this location for
the hinges 162, 164. 166 and 168 also enables gravity to be used to
keep a roof section, such as section 76 in its fully raised or
opened position, since the location of the hinges allows the center
of gravity of the roof section to be swung well over the axis of
rotation of the hinges. As shown in FIG. 3, once the roof section
76 is rotated past the vertical arrow 174, gravity acts to keep the
roof section in its fully opened position. The angle 176 of opening
past the imaginary vertical line 174 may be controlled as desired
by the thickness of the cushion 28, the design of the hinges, 162
and 164 or by a stop (not shown) to limit travel.
FIG. 5 also shows that the pillows, such as pillow 26, of headrest
cushion assembly 24 may consist of a casing 176 as well as an
internal pillow 178 made of any suitable or conventional pillow
material. If desired, a zipper or snaps may be provided along one
of the edges such as the edge 180 to allow the interior pillow
member 178 to be removed.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show the interior layout of the housing 22 in
cross-sectional views respectively taken along line 6--6 and line
7--7 of FIG. 5. Although the dividers 122 and 128 are shown
dividing the compartments 116 and 118 roughly in half, it will be
appreciated that the dividers may be placed in different locations.
Also, transverse dividers, rather than longitudinal dividers may be
provided by simply forming the necessary guide tracks along left
and right vertical wall sections 66 and 68 and central wall section
82. Also, it should be appreciated that the pockets or pouches on
the dividers may be located in different places or may be omitted
entirely.
The choice of materials used to make the various components of the
container apparatus of the present invention is a matter of
aesthetics, economics and desired functionality. Preferred
materials for making the apparatus 20 are light-weight,
high-strength, impact-resistant conventional plastic materials such
as high-impact polystyrene, butyrate plastic materials or other
high-impact thermosetting plastic resins commonly used in infant
car seats, large plastic riding toys or all-plastic cooling
containers used by people who are camping or on picnics. While
injection-molded or blow-molded plastic material is presently
perceived as the most economical way to manufacture the housing,
other materials, such as wood or metal, may also be used if
desired. As a matter of economics, it is preferred to make the
entire structure with a minimum number of separate components in
order to reduce assembly costs. However, separately assembled
components can be utilized if desired to construct the overall
housing and internal dividers used therein. Similarly, the pillow
material may be alternatively be made of spongy foam rubber, or of
down feathers or synthetic padding or stuffing material used in
conventional pillows. The pillow casing material alternatively may
be made of the synthetic material of the type used in automotive
seat coverings including synthetic velours synthetic woven material
or vinyl sheeting, or other conventional fabrics such as cotton,
wool or conventional synthetic fibers such as polyester.
The internal organization of the housing may be varied
considerably. For example, one single large compartment may be
utilized, rather than two completely separate left and right
compartments, by substantially eliminating the vertical central
wall section, except for the central roof support portion thereof,
which is preferably retained for increased strength and rigidity of
the overall housing. Also the removable dividers may be arranged
perpendicularly to the arrangement shown in the Figures. Also, more
dividers may be provided and can be made non-removable, if desired.
Also, different types of zippered pouches, boxes, cups or other
holders may be provided as organizing aids to help the children or
parents using the container apparatus to organize their belongings
stored inside any way they wish.
The preferred range of dimensions for the container apparatus is
about: 12 to 16 inches wide; 14 to 18 inches high at the highest
edge of the roof line, and 7 to 11 inches high at the lowest edge
of the roof line; and 13 to 17.5 inches deep overall, with the
depth of the spacer members being 1.5 to 2.5 inches. A preferred
range of angles of inclination for the inclined roof is about 30
degrees to about 60 degrees with 40 to 50 degrees being most
preferred. When constructed with the foregoing exemplary ranges of
dimensions, the container apparatus is thus small enough to fit
nicely in the center position of a bench-type backseat of a car.
For ease of carrying the container apparatus should be under 15
pounds, and is preferably lightweight, that is, under about 10
pounds when empty, and more preferably under about 7.5 pounds when
empty.
The foregoing detailed description shows that the preferred
embodiments of the present invention are well suited to fulfill the
objects above-stated. It is recognized that those skilled in the
art may make various modifications or additions to the preferred
embodiments chosen to illustrate the present invention without
departing from the spirit and proper scope of the invention. The
following variations in design and/or construction could be made
and are presented here, as illustrations of, rather than the outer
limitations of, possible variations in the presently preferred
design of the present invention shown in the Figures.
The shape of the housing may be varied. For example, the horizontal
cross-sectional shape could be triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal,
octagonal, oval or cylindrical, rather than rectangular. Also,
different handle arrangements for carrying the apparatus may be
utilized. One possible handle variation is to put a collapsible
handle in the top center of the roof line, so that apparatus could
be carried with one hand by an adult without spilling its contents.
The pillow case assembly could be provided with a central hole to
allow access to such a handle.
One more variation in design is to have the inclined roof sections
be curved rather than flat. The curves could be concave or convex.
In one concave curve design, for example, each roof section, as
well as the pillow placed over it if desired, could be slightly
curved inwardly and downwardly from its front and rear edges so
that even a very firm pillow would tend to cradle the head of a
child resting thereon. A convex curve design for the inclined roof
section and/or the pillows could be utilized to provide the
appearance of a roof to the housing that is more rounded to have a
cloud-like or mushroom-like appearance.
Another variation in design is to provide roof sections that are
detachable, but I do not prefer this since children are known for
losing or misplacing things. Another design variation is to locate
the hinges for the roof sections along the lower edges or inclined
edges of the roof lines of the housing. However, the roof section
attachment design shown in the Figures is preferred since it takes
advantage of gravity to help keep such roof sections closed when
they are in their normally closed position.
Yet another variation in the design of the apparatus is to allow
access to the storage space of the housing principally or
exclusively through the front wall and/or side wall sections, which
could be made partially open. and/or have hinged covers, and/or
have pull-out drawers. In such a design, the left and right
inclined roof sections could be permanently attached to the
housing, if desired. Alternatively, the roof sections could still
be hinged or could be detachable, if desired.
The pillow case assembly could be eliminated if desired by using
individual pillows or headrest cushions with snaps, Velcro
fasteners or other suitable retaining means directly attached to
them, to allow them to be fastened directly to their respective
roof sections. Alternatively, a relatively thick form-fitting
foldable pad custom-made to be fitted over the roof sections of the
container apparatus like a slip cover or a fitted sheet on a
mattress could be utilized. This would eliminate the need for snaps
or other fasteners.
Other seat belt retaining arrangements could be utilized, like a
plurality of loops or guides through which the belt is passed. Such
loops could, if desired, be located on the rear wall section or
side wall sections of the housing rather than the front wall
section, although the last-mentioned location is preferred.
Although the container apparatus of the present invention is
designed for simultaneous use by two children, it clearly may also
be used by one child, or even by an adult resting one or both arms
and possibly his or her head thereon. Other variations in use,
design and construction of the container apparatus will no doubt
occur to those skilled in the art upon contemplating my preferred
design and the variations in design and construction discussed
above. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the protection
sought and to be afforded hereby should be deemed to extend to the
subject matter defined by the appended claims, including all fair
equivalents thereof.
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